Ex-NRL and Queensland Origin star Chris Walker reveals keys to coaching on return to home city

He made his mark on the NRL and State of Origin stage, but now this ex-Broncos great is passing on his love of the game. Find out what his number one coaching philosophy is here.

Valleys Phoebe Tulilo-Seremaia fires off a pass during her side’s Walker Weekend Challenge match against Dalby. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Driving past the brick ticketing booth that marks the entrance to John McDonald Sports Complex Chris Walker was overcome by memories of days gone by.

The Toowoomba Valleys Roosters junior recalled simpler days when rugby league was all about fun, hanging out with friends and good sportsmanship.

“I remember being a young kid coming through here (Valleys Roosters), everything was fun,” Walker said.

“This field here reminds me of the fun times, playing sport with my mates, learning my trade.

“Driving through those gates every time makes me so happy.

“The fields around it when I was kid were all cow paddocks and now we have got houses all around, the growth of the club and the history is unbelievable.”

Chris Walker is passing on his NRL knowledge as a junior rugby league coach. PICTURE: Jason Sintome, Mad Panda Media

Making the trip home to Toowoomba, the former NRL star who scored 81 tries in 151 games and famously had NSW Blues’ waterboy Nathan Brown in raptures, enjoyed the opportunity to watch some of southeast Queensland’s best junior rugby league players in action.

The Walker Weekend Challenge, named in honour of the Walker family and their Valleys Roosters legacy, featured 22 under-13 teams, across both boys and girls, playing across two days of competition.

Now in his second year of junior coaching, Walker said his goal is to encourage the same joy he had as a kid in his young players.

“At 13, that’s when it starts to become a little bit semi serious with the semi-finals and grand finals … you don’t play that in the juniors,” he said.

“But for me as a coach, I coach my under-14s down at Currumbin Eagles, my biggest thing is the enjoyment.

“That’s how I played my junior football, my dad and my mum made sure me and my three brothers enjoy our football first before it became serious.

“I have life long friendships from my junior football.

“You can have a serious side but it always comes back to being fun because that’s when the participation levels are at their highest, when you make sport a fun environment.

“With the Walker Weekend it’s first and foremost fun.”

Wattles Jade Bailey takes on a Dalby defender during a Walker Weekend Challenge match at John McDonald Sports Complex. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The fifth running of the challenge marked the first time organisers had to halt team nominations.

Watching the challenge grow and develop into one of south east Queensland’s most popular pre-season events has been a real honour according to Walker.

“From when it was first pitched to us by Ned (Murphy) and the team to see after its fifth year the participation and the growth of it is outstanding,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable to give the kids an opportunity to come here and play a full weekend with their mates and get that experience before the season starts.

“And the participation levels of the girls in rugby league, to have six teams of girls this weekend, has been unbelievable.

“Some of the talent the girls showcased was unbelievable.

“I’m really keen to see the women’s side of the sport grow.

“And possibly seeing girls participate in our weekend and then go on to play on the big stage would be really rewarding.